(Psalm 23) I put the figure of Jesus at the edge of the cliff, carefully guiding his sheep around a treacherous place. Above and beyond is their destination, a higher, greener pasture. The purple-blue abyss hides the rocks below, but the Shepherd is between the flock and the drop. How like our Jesus to defend us from the dark abyss with His own body. Shortly after finishing this painting, a medical crisis sent me to the hospital, where I spent a rather critical time completely at peace.